The Labouchere betting system, also known as the cancellation system, is one of the most popular betting systems in roulette due to its flexibility and especially due to the fact it doesn't require doubling the betting amounts like the Martingale betting system does. Nevertheless, just like the rest of the roulette betting systems, Labouchere betting system doesn't prove to be profitable in the long term.

Applying Labouchere betting system

In order to make use of the Labouchere betting system, the player is supposed to compose a numeric sequence, just like it is done in other betting systems.

• The sequence the player chooses must in total equal the amount of money one wishes to eventually win. E.g. if you wish to win $35, your initial Labouchere sequence would look like 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 (=35).
• The next step is to bet the sum of the 1st and the last number of the sequence. In our case it would be 14 units (5+9=14).
  • In case of a win the player should cross out the numbers he bet on.
  • In case of a loss the sum of the bet is added to the end of the sequence: 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 14.

Here is an example of step-by-step application of Labouchere sequence:

• The initial sequence is 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9.
• The player bets 14 and loses. The sequence now looks like 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 14. The total sum of the loss is 14 units.
• The player bets 19 (5+14=19) and wins. The series is X - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - X. The player's win makes 5 units.
• The next bet is 15 units. In case the player loses this time, the sequence shall look like X - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - X - 15. The total amount of loss is 10 units now.
• With the next bet of 21 units the player loses again. The series is: X - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - X - 15 - 21. The loss makes 31 units.
• The next bet makes 27 units. The player wins and the sequence is X - X - 7 - 8 - 9 - X - 15 - X. The loss now only makes 4 units.
• With the next 22 unit bet the player wins again. The sequence is X - X - X - 8 - 9 - X - X - X. The profit is 18 units.
• The final bet makes 17. The sequence is over and the player actually wins $35 (17+18=35) - just what was expected.

Advantages and disadvantages of Labouchere betting system

• As it was already mentioned, using the Labouchere betting system the player doesn't have to double up the wagers dramatically as in Martingale betting system.
• It is also a flexible system which means that the player is able to define the initial sequence of numbers due to his or her own liking.
• As most betting systems in roulette, Labouchere betting system has to deal with the limited amount of bankroll and maximum betting limit at a given roulette table. It is especially true in case the player hits a prolonged losing streak which can definitely happen at roulette.

Before applying Labouchere betting system, just like any other system in roulette, it is important to remember that no system can actually improve your odds at roulette. In fact, the most it can really do is help you manage your bankroll more carefully.